La Città Bianca
Located on the ‘heel’ of the Italy’s boot, Ostuni is known for its white buildings and unparalleled charm. The best time to visit is from April - November, with temperatures ranging from 18-30°C it is the perfect location to take trips to the beaches nearby and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere of the town in the evening. However there is still plenty to do in the colder months, exploring the olive groves and small nearby towns which are full of character, each has its own unique history.
Within the City Walls
Ostuni is the home to many churches and monuments, so take a walk through the cobbled streets and see what you can find! There are endless bars and restaurants to enjoy a sunset Aperol Spritz and taste the local cuisine. Over the summer months there is often live music in the main square, creating a lively buzzing atmosphere. Some good restaurants in Ostuni are the Osteria Piazzetta Cathedrale and La Taverna Della Gelosia. A fun place to eat is the Pescheria Il Delfino, where you can choose your fish fresh from the counter, whilst the best take-away pizzas can be found at Il Posto Affianco.
Beaches
Only a 15-minute drive away, Puglia’s stunning coastline offers endless beaches for sunbathing, relaxing and swimming. Beach clubs provide sunbeds, buffet lunches and cater to all your needs. In the colder months, take a walk or ride a horse along the beaches and soak in the dramatic landscapes.
Olive Groves
Puglia is the home to over 60 million olive trees, producing more litres of olive oil than any other region in Italy. Some trees date back 3,000 years to the ancient greek times and are still producing olives today! Take a tour around one of the olive groves to see these incredible trees, learn about how olive oil has been pressed over the years and taste their fresh produce.
Architecture
Masseria le carrube
MASSERIA LE CARrUBE
TRULLI
Traditional Pugliese buildings come in the form of Masserias, old farmhouses, and Trullis, dry stone huts with cone shaped roofs. Drive through the olive groves just outside Ostuni to see these buildings in all shapes and sizes, or visit the nearby town of Alborabello, the Trulli capital. Combine your Ostuni stay with a few nights in the Masseria Le Carrube, which has a large swimming pool, to provide a relaxing end to your trip. Masseria Le Carrube also do a great vegetarian brunch on Sundays (except in July and August), which is amazing but be sure to reserve.
Nearby Towns
A host of picturesque charming seaside towns and old towns surround Ostuni so there is a vast range of things to see and do nearby. Ceglie Messapica dates back to the Ancient Greeks and has a wonderful old castle and cathedral. If you visit Ceglie be sure to eat at Borgo Antico (unless you are a vegetarian!). Martina Franca and Monopoli have superb seafood restaurants and gorgeous harbours. Places of interest nearby worthy of daytrips are Lecce, Otranto and Trani.